Immigrating to the UK

[2026]

Looking into our options to exit this (beautiful) failing state.

We're trying to get an idea of how much it might cost to make the move and hoping to get some estimates from people here who've done this.

- initial setup in the UK
-shipping some limited stuff over
-visas/other travel administration
-flights
-anything else I'm forgetting?

Thanks!

Family of 4, about half a million rand going the ancestral visa route. Price will change as you pay visa fees in pounds (nhs) and will have to probably pay for bnbs for a month or 2 before you find a place to rent.

You'll also have to pay a part of soul when you deal with DHA.

 

[gregmcc]

Norra F. I am an ALDI loyalist!

Love their weekly ranges from different countries. A few months ago picked up Orange juice with Honey from Greece. Best OJ I've ever had.

Next week is Asia week

 

[Paul Kemp]

Depending on what passport you hold other things that may add to your costs and timing.
-police clearance
-TB tests
-English test

Short term rentals for a 3 bed are around £1000 a week.

Sidenote. Has anyone calculated the difference the exchange rate would have made now vs when you moved?

 

[gregmcc]

Sidenote. Has anyone calculated the difference the exchange rate would have made now vs when you moved?

Holy hell. Just checked the rate. It's 24.39!

When I moved over 10 years ago it was around 14.

Would hate to see what the total cost would be now including all the visa fee increases. Doubt I could afford it.

 

[Priapus]

Yeah visa costs are huge.

Unless you get a work visa that is sponsored.

 

[Sinbad]

Holy hell. Just checked the rate. It's 24.39!

When I moved over 10 years ago it was around 14.

Would hate to see what the total cost would be now including all the visa fee increases. Doubt I could afford it.

Visas are in the region of £5500 per person for spousal when you add in NHI fees - but half of that is only due 30 months after you arrive.
Ancestral is cheaper by about £2000 overall

 

[prod]

Yeah visa costs are huge.

Unless you get a work visa that is sponsored.

Yup my SWV + IHS is going to be around £4500. They reimburse me the first month of employment but I'm going to have to pay it myself first, it's not gonna be fun

 

[gregmcc]

Visas are in the region of £5500 per person for spousal when you add in NHI fees - but half of that is only due 30 months after you arrive.
Ancestral is cheaper.

Faaaaaak.
I went the spousal visa so was 2.5 year visa + 2.5 year visa + indef leave to remain + citizenship. I don't even want to convert that to Rands! (Granted I was working here so spent pounds, but still)

 

[Paul Kemp]

Visas are in the region of £5500 per person for spousal when you add in NHI fees - but half of that is only due 30 months after you arrive.
Ancestral is cheaper by about £2000 overall

And then £2404 each for ILR thereafter.

 

[Sinbad]

Faaaaaak.
I went the spousal visa so was 2.5 year visa + 2.5 year visa + indef leave to remain + citizenship. I don't even want to convert that to Rands! (Granted I was working here so spent pounds, but still)

Yup.
1st visa £1500. NHI fee £1500. Second visa £1000. NHI fee £1500.

ILR £2404

Citizenship £1330

 

[Priapus]

Yup my SWV + IHS is going to be around £4500. They reimburse me the first month of employment but I'm going to have to pay it myself first, it's not gonna be fun

Yeah so 110k
Got two people who are wanting out - his wife is a Citizen by descent, so can't pass on to their child. I think as @Sinbad mentioned, that is 11k GBP roughly.

Not sure they are aware just how expensive it will be.

 

[Priapus]

Yup.
1st visa £1500. NHI fee £1500. Second visa £1000. NHI fee £1500.

ILR £2404

Citizenship £1330

My Son needed a Certificate of Entitlement for our travel to the UK in July - As we can't get his passport in time. That's R10k on its own. Hoping to have a decision soon on that.

**** is expensive.

 

[gregmcc]

Damn, thats insane! That costs are mental. Even worse, convert to rands now @ 24.32

 

[Paul Kemp]

Also worth keeping in mind are the losses you’ll have to absorb selling your appliances and furniture and then replacing them all. Make sure your budget has some fat built in.

 

[Sinbad]

Also worth keeping in mind are the losses you’ll have to absorb selling your appliances and furniture and then replacing them all. Make sure your budget has some fat built in.

And right now interest rates in UK are higher than they've been since 2009 - with the commensurate increase in rental costs / house purchase costs.

 

[Tman*]

Also worth keeping in mind are the losses you’ll have to absorb selling your appliances and furniture and then replacing them all. Make sure your budget has some fat built in.

100%

I sold my SA home fully furnished. In hindsight I regret not bringing over more items, because it all adds up.

Ive been buying new misc items for the house every other month, plus things such as tools. I've spent a small fortune.

 

[Sinbad]

100%

I sold my SA home fully furnished. In hindsight I regret not bringing over more items, because it all adds up.

Ive been buying new misc items for the house every other month, plus things such as tools. I've spent a small fortune.

One thing I noticed, bringing a bunch of furniture over...
it doesn't fit in UK houses!!
UK stuff is built smaller. Bed sizes are smaller, and bases can be disassembled
Couches are narrower, as are tables.

 

[Priapus]

Also worth keeping in mind are the losses you’ll have to absorb selling your appliances and furniture and then replacing them all. Make sure your budget has some fat built in.

I'm putting 1000 GBP away a month just for extra costs for when the time is right.

 

[Tman*]

One thing I noticed, bringing a bunch of furniture over...
it doesn't fit in UK houses!!
UK stuff is built smaller. Bed sizes are smaller, and bases can be disassembled
Couches are narrower, as are tables.

Once I started looking for homes to rent, I realised there is no way in hell most of my furniture will fit. Another important aspect to consider, SA furniture is not made to be dismantled tp such a degree like in the UK. Your dining room table might "fit", but if you cant remove the legs there is no way to bring it into the home lol.

 

[Sinbad]

Once I started looking for homes to rent, I realised there is no way in hell most of my furniture will fit. Another important aspect to consider, SA furniture is not made to be dismantled tp such a degree like in the UK. Your dining room table might "fit", but if you cant remove the legs there is no way to bring it into the home lol.

You should have seen the movers' faces when my wife told them she wanted the grand piano put in the upstairs lounge